Chapter 1: Page 41
The fight now complete, Quinlan, Dakkan, Janik, and Kenosh have transitioned themselves to the Land’s End Tavern for dinner and drinks!
As you can see, there are a lot of different races from around the Four Kingdoms enjoying themselves (and perhaps one example of somebody NOT enjoying themselves) – what I love most about these crowd scenes is how easy it is to think about background character backstories at a glance. When Rachel showed me the initial sketches for various tavern-goers, I found myself dreaming up side-stories and backgrounds for a lot of the clientele.
While none of it is relevant to the story at large, I like to imagine that through some kind of story-driven osmosis, that attention to detail in even the background characters makes the world feel more alive.
This week, Jacob Kingzett has sent us another wonderful piece of music based on the world of “Beyond the Western Deep” called “Prelude in F Minor for 4 Horns (Journey)”. You can listen to it by clicking right here! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible music, Jacob! We’re all looking forward to hearing more of your work!
The sight of cheerful Dakkan amuses me, especially with his father having a permanent serious face no matter what. The author’s notes also reinforced what I was thinking about the background characters– none of the Canid are looking happy, especially Mr. Omega back there. Compared to everyone else, the Canid don’t exactly seem like a jovial race…
Makes you wonder what Dakkan’s mother was like. She must have been quite the pistol.
Is she still alive, by the way? Or has she died, like both of Quinlan’s parents?
I also must say that I love Janik’s expressions in this comic as well. They’re so deadpan, it’s easy to tell what she thinks of Crim. I love snarky characters.
Love Dakkan in the first panel. :) I actually did notice the background characters- particularly both Canids.
Now, I am wondering how the Alpha-Omega system works for them. Are they born into an inescapable caste system like the ones in India or is it similar to an economical class where there are opportunities to rise, though you have to prove yourself? And if they had to prove themselves, how would they go about doing it?
Oh, and I sense a background story coming up! :)
I really enjoyed this page (though I enjoy all of them) and I found it interesting to have an inside look at the social set-up of the area.
Actually, the fella on the left side is a grumpy ol’ Vulpin. X)
I’ll go ahead and answer the caste question because while we’ll probably touch on the Canid caste system in-story, it’s not exactly like it’s tied to any plot revelations.
I see the societal roles being established in the Canid educational system, as pups. Strong warrior-class (alpha) candidates are rooted out at a young age so they can train. The rest are directed toward particular civilian trades (omega), though once that first division is made, an individual’s preference can effect where he ends up. There are trades that are in higher demand due to the greater respect they inspire, so unfortunately not everyone who wants to become, say, a armorsmith, will be able to. So they sort of have a choice there, but in the end some alpha governor will be stamping the YES/NO on it.
The alpha/omega divide is pretty impermeable though, except in extreme cases of impressive success or failure (or political maneuvering).
NO!!! Now Mr. Omega in the background is too interesting! Maybe after you complete your currently planned plots, he could show up again.
I want to hug the canids, they seem like a grumpy lot.
I like how you gave the tavern a good sense of activity. Really looks like it’d be filled with chatter, the sounds of silverware on plates, people talking and laughing and drinking. I also really like Dakkan’s expression in the first panel, he looks like he’s really enjoying telling the story X)
I also really like the clothes that Quin’s wearing. Gives him a real sense that he doesn’t want to be Captain every hour of the day.
Can Dakkan start a little ditty at the tavern?!
Great page this week, love all the little details in the background. You (Rachel) really have a talent for making the backgrounds engrossing and interesting. It really helps flesh out the page and makes each place feel more ‘real’. One question though, why’s the “Land’s End” sign in English? You mentioned each race having its own unique script, so I’m curious as to why it isn’t in Tamian. (Not a complaint, I’m just genuinely curious.)
That’s a good question! I see this “English” equivalent as being a kind of all-language in our world. Sort of like how all the characters in Mass Effect (human and alien) speak the common “Galactic”, it’s become the de facto method of communication across many diverse cultures that have had their own languages for quite some time. While each race’s unique language is still taught (you can see examples in Quinlan’s apartment), this “English” equivalent is the most commonly-used language after the signing of the Treaty of Cenolau and the creation of the Four Kingdoms.
In locales that cater to multiple races from many different kingdoms, using this common tongue is ideal so everybody can understand everyone else. In that way, I suppose you could say that it’s a lot like English is used these days as a universal language of commerce.
Another reason is the sign establishes the new location, without having to resort to a narration box. If the characters had said something like “I’ll meet you at Land’s End Tavern” earlier, I might have considered making it in Tamian script.
I like the Tamian dartboard. What is that nailed up above the door? Some kind of lungfish?
Actually it’s a mandible from one of those giant centipede-like Treewalkers! :) I am also a fan of the Tamian take on darts!
And so we cut to one of my favourite pages in the whole comic! This tavern scene is absolutely fantastic, Alex&Rachel, and I was genuinely stunned the first time I saw it! All these characters, all these details, all this atmosphere… you did such an incredible job conveying such a history and character to this scene, and it’s one that never ceases to amaze me!
Like others have said, it feels like every one of these background characters could be the center of their own stories, and you immediately want to know more about them. My favourite ones have to be the two Tamians in the lower right. The one on the left especially looks rather… rough-hewn compared to how you imagine these squirrels. I can imagine them sitting there, telling dirty jokes and laughing… I do wonder about the piece of fur on the grey squirrel to the right though – is that just his tail or is he putting up his left leg on the bar stool? In any case, they look marvellous, like everyone else here.
Truly excellent job, my dear writers! This is a page you can be proud of!
(Nice finding out more about the Canid social system, too)
You all meet in a tavern . . .
Anyone else fine that one eared wolf in the corner suspitious?
I believe he is the subject of a fanwork by Saraa Luna.